There are a significant number of differences between
sandtroopers and stormtroopers. To better understand these differences,
one needs
to understand WHY they are different. Doing so, takes us back to
March 22, 1976, when principal photography for Star Wars began. Filming
began
in Tozeur, Tunisia which was the location where many of the Tattooine
scenes were filmed, including most of the sandtrooper scenes.** Although
stormtroopers
are the first to be seen on screen, sandtroopers were the first to
be created and filmed.With that in mind,
a sandtrooper should be considered as a rough sketch or an artist’s
first rendition -- an unrefined product. While it initially appears
that sandtroopers have MORE details than the regular stormtrooper,
those
additions are simply window dressing. The base armor of the sandtrooper
actually lacks a number of details found on the stormtrooper. Without
the pauldron and backpack, and pouches the sandtroopers are
lackluster and rough around the edges. A number of details
were added to the
stormtrooper armor to give it more visual emphasis. Note that nothing
was removed from the basic sandtrooper armor. Instead details were
added or replaced, as if the original armor was not satisfactory.
The additions/replacemnets are
listed below.

SANDTROOPER

STORMTROOPER

A
number of thin, black stripes were added to the trapezoids on
the back of the stormtrooper helmet. The sandtrooper helmet lacks these
stripes.

SANDTROOPER

STORMTROOPER

A
number of thin, black stripes were added to the “tear
drops” just below the eyes of the stormtrooper helmet.The
sandtrooper helmet lacks these stripes.

SANDTROOPER

STORMTROOPER

Vaccuformed
ribbed straps were added over the shoulder of the stormtrooper
armor to help hide the connection of the chest and back
plate. The sandtrooper lacks these ribbed straps. ***

SANDTROOPER

STORMTROOPER

A
detailed rectangular belly plate with dark colored buttons
was affixed over the blank belly detail of the stormtrooper
armor. The sandtrooper armor lacks this detailed plate. Additionally,
the strip of buttons on the left side of the
stormtrooper's belly
were painted. The sandtrooper's buttons are unpainted.

SANDTROOPER

STORMTROOPER

Rectangular
drop boxes were added to the stormtrooper armor, presumably
to cover the large expanse of the black bodysuit
where the thigh armor meets the torso armor. While
the sandtrooper has an MP-40 pouch attached to each side of
his belt, this is an accessory and not truly part of the
base armor. The sandtrooper lacks drop boxes.

SANDTROOPER

STORMTROOPER

A
canister was added to the back of the stormtrooper's belt.
Components of the canister are seen on the sandtrooper backpack
but the sandtrooper armor lacks an actual canister.

SANDTROOPER

STORMTROOPER

The
stormtrooper armor has a highly detailed half diamond
kneeplate that wraps around
the shin guard. While
the sandtrooper has diamond shaped "sniper" kneeplate,
it lacks the detail of the kneeplate seen on the stormtrooper.

* The pauldron worn by sandtroopers is often referred
to as a “shoulder
pauldron.” A pauldron is a piece of armor covering the shoulder
at the junction of the body piece and arm piece. The term “shoulder
pauldron” is redundant as all pauldrons cover the shoulder.

** This,
obviously, does not include the sandtrooper scenes filmed for the
Special Edition of Star Wars. Those scenes were filmed in Yuma,
Arizona. Additionally, the alleyway and Docking Bay 94 scenes were filmed
on a sound stage in the UK.